Backup Exec Remote Agent Crashed When Backing Up SharePoint 2010 Server Farm

I logged a case with Symantec Technical Support regarding Backup Exec Remote Agent crashing when I tried to backup SharePoint 2010 Server Farm in early April.

After a few attempts of verifying the configuration and troubleshooting, I was given a temporary workaround to bypass the SharePoint backup so that I can backup the content databases.  I have described how to do it in Bypassing Symantec Backup Exec 2012 SharePoint backup.

My case was escalated to Symantec Engineering Team with lots of logs collected.  In early May, Symantec had identified the cause of the issue was because my SharePoint 2010 Server Farm has more than 200 content databases.  The http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH205286 Symantec article describes the issue.

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Backup Exec - Snapshot technology error (0xE000FE1F): The device cannot be found

In the entry Bypassing Symantec Backup Exec 2012 SharePoint backup, I mentioned that I am not able to backup my SharePoint 2010 farm and as a temporary workaround, I am backing up the content databases.  Symantec has been working on my case and I received a second debug binary from them yesterday to test it out.

After putting in the debug binary version of ndmpsrvr.dll into all my SharePoint and SQL servers, I started a test backup but it failed with the following error.

V-79-57344-65055 - Snapshot Technology: Initialization failure on: "SharePoint – sharepoint.deinfotech.com80\Content-DB 1 (SQLP01\SP_ROOTSITE)". Snapshot technology used: No.

Snapshot technology error (0xE000FE1F): The device cannot be found.

Check the Windows Event Viewer for details.

V-79-57344-65055 - Snapshot Technology: Initialization failure on: "SharePoint - sharepoint.deinfotech.com80\Content-DB 100 (SQLP01\Content_IT)". Snapshot technology used: No.

Snapshot technology error (0xE000FE1F): The device cannot be found.

Check the Windows Event Viewer for details.

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Renting Pocket WiFi in Japan

My family had a holiday trip to Osaka Japan last week.  Just a day before flying off, we started searching information of pre-paid data SIM card in Japan so that our mobile devices can connect to Internet to make video/voice calls and for navigation. 

Initially, we set our eye on b-mobile Visitor SIM pre-paid card which costs ¥3,980 for 14 days but realized that we do not have a compatible MiFi and planned to buy one.  While searching for a compatible MiFi, we noticed there are lots of MiFi rental service in Japan which includes data plan (known as Pocket WiFi).  Here are some providers for Pocket WiFi.

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Microsoft Surface Pro

I was asked to configure a Microsoft Surface Pro for office use.  The Microsoft Surface Pro running Windows 8 Pro is powered by 3rd generation of Intel i5 processor.  It weighs about 900g which is about 240g heavier than the Dell Latitude 10.  The dockable keyboard sold separately is an useful accessory to have.  There is no SIM slot for Microsoft Surface Pro so WIFI is needed to get on to Internet.  The maximum configuration comes with 128GB storage which is double of Dell Latitude 10 maximum configuration.  It is quite a nice tablet but it will be good if it can “slim” down reduces in weight.

As part of the setup, I joined the Microsoft Surface Pro to our Active Directory domain.  After joining to the domain, the swipe up to get to the logon screen was disabled.  There is a message on the upper left corner which read “Press and hold the Windows button, and then press the power button to sign in.”.  This is different from Dell Latitude 10 which is a combination of volume up button plus power button.

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Dell Latitude 10 Tablet

I was given the opportunity to get my hand on a demo unit of Dell Latitude 10 Tablet installed with Windows 8 Pro.  The tablet is powered by Intel Atom Processor Z2760 and weighs 660g.  There is no dockable keyboard like the Microsoft Surface.  There is a docking station for the tablet where I can connect up keyboard but I find the docking connector a bit flimsy.  The configuration that I get also comes with micro-SIM slot.  The speaker is located at lower right corner of the back and my right hand tends to cover it while holding it.  Overall, it is still a decent tablet which allows I can get some works done on the go however an option with a dockable keyboard and shifting the speaker up will be good.

Before returning the demo unit, I reset it back to the default factory settings and it is really easy with Windows 8.  Here are the steps to do the reset.

Slide from right to left to call out the charm bar.  Touch on Settings.

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